Dean's Message

Dr. L. Pauline Rankin

Dean's Message

Created in 1997, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) encompasses a broad range of academic disciplines and interdisciplinary units spanning subjects as diverse as human cognition, Indigenous sovereignty, public history and climate change. We both tackle the most complex social, cultural and political issues of our times, as well as contemplate questions that have challenged civilizations for millennia. With 17 dynamic academic departments, the Centre for Initiatives in Education, and a world-class art gallery, FASS is the ideal place to feed your curiosity and acquire the knowledge and employable skills necessary to build a successful future. Our award-winning faculty members will inspire you with their research projects and their passion for teaching will guarantee a stimulating learning environment. Our professional staff will assist you with navigating any administrative matters.

We in FASS are deeply committed to community engagement; FASS students can undertake rewarding internships and co-op placements in an array of Ottawa public and private sector institutions and civil society organizations. These opportunities equip you with invaluable applied learning experiences but also allow you to share your talents and enthusiasm with our community partners. Carleton’s recent acquisition of Dominion-Chalmers in Ottawa’s Centretown, for example, will offer unique opportunities for students to participate in shaping the city’s newest cultural hub and performance space. The FASS educational experience, however, isn’t limited to Ottawa; many of our programs also include domestic and global study components that help our students graduate with informed national and international perspectives.

Whether you are choosing your undergraduate program or deciding on graduate studies, I invite you to explore our website and browse our departmental sites for more detailed information on our offerings.

As a FASS graduate myself, I’m confident you will find an enriching educational experience awaiting you at Carleton. We can’t wait to help you get started!